Brown Last Name: Origins, Meanings, and Variations

The last name Brown is one of the most common surnames in the English-speaking world. It's a name rich in history and meaning, reflecting a connection to the color brown, a geographical location, or a descriptive trait. This comprehensive list explores the diverse origins and meanings behind the Brown last name, providing insights into its variations and prevalence across cultures.
1. **Brown:** From the Middle English word "brun," meaning "brown" or "dark-haired." This surname was often given to people with brown hair or dark complexions, or those who lived near a brown-colored landscape.

2. **Browne:** A variant spelling of Brown, often found in Irish and Scottish families. It often signifies a person who lived near a hill or moorland, as "browne" could also refer to a hillside or eyebrow.

3. **Brwon:** An archaic spelling of Brown, found in some historical records.

4. **Braun:** A German surname derived from the word "braun," meaning "brown." It has the same origin as Brown and is often found in families with German heritage.

5. **Broun:** Another variant spelling of Brown, particularly common in Scotland.

6. **Brounlie:** A Scottish surname meaning "brown meadow." It's a combination of "broun" (brown) and "lie" (meadow).

7. **Brownlow:** A surname of Norman origin, meaning "brown hill" or "hillside." It combines the elements "brown" and "low" (hill).

8. **Brownfield:** A surname derived from the English place name "Brownfield," meaning "brown field" or "cultivated land."

9. **Brownhill:** A surname meaning "brown hill" or "hillside." It's a compound of "brown" and "hill."

10. **Brownjohn:** A surname derived from the English place name "Brownjohn," likely meaning "brown spring" or "brown well."

11. **Brownlee:** A Scottish surname meaning "brown meadow" or "brown clearing." It combines "brown" and "lee" (meadow).

12. **Browner:** A surname derived from the English place name "Browner," which likely refers to a place known for its brown color.

13. **Brownson:** A surname derived from the English place name "Brownson," potentially meaning "son of Brown" or "dweller near the brown hill."

14. **Brumfield:** A surname meaning "brown field" or "cultivated land." It's a combination of "brown" and "field."

15. **Brummett:** A surname possibly derived from the English place name "Brummett," which could refer to a place with a brown landscape or a person with a brown complexion.

16. **Brumby:** A surname of English origin, possibly meaning "brown meadow" or "brown clearing."

17. **Brumley:** A surname meaning "brown meadow" or "brown clearing." It's a combination of "brown" and "ley" (meadow).

18. **Brumwell:** A surname meaning "brown spring" or "brown well." It's a compound of "brown" and "well."

19. **Bruning:** A surname of German origin, meaning "brown-haired" or "dark-haired."

20. **Brunson:** A surname derived from the English place name "Brunson," potentially meaning "son of Brown" or "dweller near the brown hill."

21. **Bruns:** A surname of German origin, meaning "brown" or "dark-haired."

22. **Brunstrom:** A surname of Swedish origin, meaning "brown stream" or "brook."

23. **Brunskill:** A surname meaning "brown spring" or "brown well." It's a combination of "brown" and "skill" (spring).

24. **Brunsdon:** A surname derived from the English place name "Brunsdon," meaning "brown hill" or "hillside."

25. **Brunn:** A surname of German origin, meaning "brown" or "dark-haired."

26. **Brunner:** A surname of German origin, meaning "brown" or "dark-haired."

27. **Bruner:** A surname of German origin, meaning "brown" or "dark-haired."

28. **Brunot:** A surname of French origin, meaning "brown" or "dark-haired."

29. **Brunnstrom:** A surname of Swedish origin, meaning "brown stream" or "brook."

30. **Brunson:** A surname derived from the English place name "Brunson," potentially meaning "son of Brown" or "dweller near the brown hill."

31. **Brunton:** A surname derived from the English place name "Brunton," meaning "brown hill" or "hillside."

32. **Brumby:** A surname of English origin, possibly meaning "brown meadow" or "brown clearing."

33. **Brumley:** A surname meaning "brown meadow" or "brown clearing." It's a combination of "brown" and "ley" (meadow).

34. **Brumwell:** A surname meaning "brown spring" or "brown well." It's a compound of "brown" and "well."

35. **Brownbill:** A surname derived from the English place name "Brownbill," meaning "brown hill" or "hillside."

36. **Brownbridge:** A surname derived from the English place name "Brownbridge," meaning "brown bridge" or "bridge over a brown stream."

37. **Brownfield:** A surname derived from the English place name "Brownfield," meaning "brown field" or "cultivated land."

38. **Brownhill:** A surname meaning "brown hill" or "hillside." It's a compound of "brown" and "hill."

39. **Brownlee:** A Scottish surname meaning "brown meadow" or "brown clearing." It combines "brown" and "lee" (meadow).

40. **Browner:** A surname derived from the English place name "Browner," which likely refers to a place known for its brown color.

41. **Brownson:** A surname derived from the English place name "Brownson," potentially meaning "son of Brown" or "dweller near the brown hill."

42. **Brumfield:** A surname meaning "brown field" or "cultivated land." It's a combination of "brown" and "field."

43. **Brummett:** A surname possibly derived from the English place name "Brummett," which could refer to a place with a brown landscape or a person with a brown complexion.

44. **Brumby:** A surname of English origin, possibly meaning "brown meadow" or "brown clearing."

45. **Brumley:** A surname meaning "brown meadow" or "brown clearing." It's a combination of "brown" and "ley" (meadow).

46. **Brumwell:** A surname meaning "brown spring" or "brown well." It's a compound of "brown" and "well."